Saturday June 23, 2018 - Vintages Release Report
21 Jun 2018- Details
- Category: Vintages Releases
Key to the 5-star rating system:
5 = Outstanding … 4.5 = Excellent … 4 = Very Good … 3.5 = Good
Wine colour indicators - Red, Whites, etc.
The Foci … Chile’s Tip-Top Valleys (CTV) & Cheers to Canada (CtC)
The Skinny … My first love in the wine world, outside of Ontario, was Chile, so I am thrilled to see them in the spotlight this week and I recommend six of the wine in the LCBO spotlight. Canada also shows well in this release with 12 recommendable wines. Other highlights include a French rosé, a South African red and a perennial favourite of mine from the Barossa.
Argentina …
Fabre Montmayou 2015 Reserva Cabernet Franc ($19.95 - #492736) – dark fruit, cherry-tobacco, nice tannins and a hint of herbal. (*** ½+)
Australia …
Hope Estate 2016 Semillon ($17.95 - #551549) – lanolin, grapefruit pith and lemon curd. (*** ½)
Thorn-Clarke 2016 Terra Barossa Shiraz ($17.95 - #595306) – spiced-licorice, smoked cherry, meaty and peppery with the right amount of floral delicacy. (****)
Wakefield 2016 Jaraman Shiraz ($24.95 - #377036) – supple, silky and smoky with vanilla, black cherry and black pepper. (****)
Canada (British Columbia) …
Burrowing Owl 2014 Merlot ($39.95 - #585737) – dusty yet delicious with blackberry, black cherry and spice with a smoky-mocha cherry finish. (****)
Quails’ Gate 2017 Rosé ($19.95 - #275842) - **** (read full review) - CTV
Canada (Ontario) … click on wine name for full review
Cave Spring 2016 Estate Chardonnay ($18.95 - #256552) - *** ½+
Charles Baker 2015 Picone Vineyard Riesling ($37.20 - #241182) - ****
Flat Rock 2017 Pink Twisted Rosé ($17.95 - #039974) - ***+
Henry of Pelham 2016 Speck Family Reserve Baco Noir ($24.95 - #461699) - **** (CTV)
Henry of Pelham 2012 Speck Family Reserve Cabernet/Merlot ($39.95 - #616433) - ****+ (CTV)
Megalomaniac 2016 My Way Chardonnay ($24.95 - #142646) - *** ½ … (CTV)
Megalomaniac 2016 Sonofabitch Pinot Noir ($27.95 - #085134) - **** … (CTV)
Stratus 2016 Weather Report Chardonnay ($28.20 - #560904) - **** … (CTV)
Thirty Bench 2017 Small Lot Rosé ($29.95 - #414227) - *** ½
WildAss 2017 Rosé ($18.95 - #071712) - *** ½
Chile …
Antu 2016 Syrah ($17.95 - #675371) – gentle spice, smooth and silky with black cherry and white pepper. (*** ½+) … CtC
Arboleda 2016 Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc ($18.95 - #510339) – a subtle Sauvignon Blanc with grapefruit and tropical fruit. (*** ½) … CtC
Maycas del Limari 2016 Limestone Coast Reserva Especial Pinot Noir ($22.95 - #511105) – elegant and subtly spiced with strawberry and cherry. (****) … CtC
Montes 2015 Outer Limits Zapallar Coast Pinot Noir ($27.95 - #568600) – raspberry, strawberry and cherry with a gentle spice. (*** ½) … CtC
Santa Carolina 2013 Specialties Dry Farming Carignan ($18.95 - #213520) – still a lovely bottle with raspberry, strawberry and cherry plus vanilla and white pepper; fruit forward and tasty. (****) … CtC
Undurraga 2013 TH Syrah ($24.95 - #094193) – leather, black pepper, bacon, smoked meat and spice. (****) … CtC
France (Beaujolais) …
Chateau du Chatelard 2015 Cuvee les Vieux Granits Fleurie ($23.95 - #207886) – deep black and red cherry with floral, white pepper and good spice; really pretty. (****)
France (Burgundy) …
Manoir de Mercey 2015 Chateaubeau Mercurey ($31.95 - #508002) – white pepper, red pepper and rich dark fruit: black cherry, cassis and smoky; need 3-plus years. (****)
William Fevre 2016 Champs Royaux Chablis ($26.95 - #461640) – shows delicacy and minerality while fleshing out apple, peach and a touch of saltiness. (*** ½+)
France (Lauguedoc) …
Cave de Roquebrun 2016 La Grange des Combes Saint-Chinian-Roquebrun ($19.95 - #155804) – coffee, mocha, black cherry and smoky. (*** ½)
France (Midi) …
M. Chapoutier 2016 Les Vignes de Bila-Haut Cotes du Rousillon Villages ($15.95 - #168716) – mocha, blackcberry, vanilla and floral. (*** ½+)
France (Provence) …
Caves D’Esclans 2017 Whispering Angel Rosé ($66.95 / 1500ml - #325076) – pretty mineral, delicate sour cherry and strawberry. (*** ½+)
Gassier 2017 Esprit Rosé ($43.95 / 1500ml - #556316) – light lime, lemon, apricot and raspberry. (*** ½)
Hecht & Bannier 2017 Cotes de Provence Rosé ($21.95 - #410035) – pear, strawberry and lime. (*** ½+)
Mimi en Provence 2017 Grande Reserve Rosé ($20.95 - #452573) – nice lightness and freshness; delicate lime soda, grapefruit with raspberry, strawberry and cranberry at its core. (****)
France (Rhone) …
Gassier 2014 Chateau de Nages JT Costieres de Nimes ($25.95 - #736876) – smoky and meaty, black cherry, pepper, dark fruit and spice. (****)
La Ferme du Mont 2016 Le Ponnant Cotes du Rhone-Villages ($22.95 - #171371) – lovely concentration with white smoke, plum, black cherry, cassis, and blackberry. (****)
Terrissimo 2014 Beaume de Venise ($18.95 - #537886) – cherry, vanilla, herbal and smoke. (*** ½+)
Germany …
Moselland 2016 Goldschild Single Vineyard Riesling Kabinett ($16.95 - #466052) – balance of acidity and minerality with delicious apple and pear. (*** ½+)
Italy (Alto-Adige) …
Schreckbichl Colterenzio 2016 Pinot Grigio ($20.95 - #293399) – lemon, talc and apricot. (***+)
Italy (Marche) …
Montemisio Offida 2016 Pecorino ($17.95 - #542811) – Juicy Fruit gum without the sweetness factor. (*** ½)
Italy (Piedmont) …
Elvio Cogno 2013 Cascina Nuova Barolo ($49.95 - #539379) – smoky dried cherry and cinnamon. (*** ½+)
Ricossa 2017 Antica Casa Moscato D’Asti ($15.95 - #072272) – gentle spritz with peach, pear and apricot with subtle sweetness. (***+)
Italy (Tuscany) …
Palazzo Vecchio 2013 Maestro Vino Nobile de Montepulciano ($29.95 - #348532) – cranberry, spiced-cherry, smoky-cranberry and cinnamon. (*** ½+)
Scaranto 2016 Governo All’Uso ($17.95 - #540914) – rich sweet black cherry, smoky plum and vanilla; nice plushness across the tongue. (****)
New Zealand …
Babich 2017 Black Label Sauvignon Blanc ($19.95 - #009142) – lean with grapefruit pith, gooseberry and lavender. (*** ½)
Peter Yealands 2016 Pinot Noir ($19.95 - #551648) – spice, strawberry, clove and smoke. (*** ½)
Stoneleigh 2017 Latitude Sauvignon Blanc ($21.95 - #324228) – apricot, grapefruit, green apple and mineral freshness. (*** ½+)
Portugal …
Terra Grande 2015 Reserva ($12.95 - #549782) – smooth, supple, plum, blackberry and licorice. (*** ½)
South Africa …
Rustenberg 2016 RM Nicholson ($17.95 - #278390) – smoky burnt chocolate, meaty-spicy with black cherry and cassis. (****)
United States (California) …
Arrowood 2014 Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($44.95 - #570556) – mocha, black cherry, white smoke, smoked meat and spiced plum. (****+)
Sterling 2014 Merlot ($34.95 - #330241) – ripe, rich red fruit, plum and oak. (*** ½+)
United States (Oregon) …
Acrobat 2016 Pinot Gris ($21.95 - #420729) – pleasant hit of white fruit and lime pith; very easy drinking. (***+)
________________________________________
In-Store Discoveries: wines that appear at selected Vintages outlets …
A to Z Wineworks 2015 The Essence of Oregon Pinot Noir, Oregon ($44.95 - #562884) - ****+
Culmina 2013 Hypothesis, British Columbia ($47.95 - #414243) - **** ½+ (read full review)
Laurene 2014 Pinot Noir, Oregon ($79.95 - #974899) - **** ½
Michel Gassier 2015 Chateau de Nages JT White, Rhone ($26.95 - #485854) - *** ½+
SJ 2012 Single Quinta Vintage Port, Portugal ($79.95 - #568238) - ****+
If You Can Afford It: wines worth their high price …
Sequoia Grove 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, Califonia ($69.95 - #060020) - **** ½
Socre Roncaglie 2012 Barbaresco, Piedmont ($63.95 - #309906) - *** ½
Best Values in this Release - (June 23, 2018) …
Mimi en Provence 2017 Grande Reserve Rosé ($20.95 - #452573) – France
Quails’ Gate 2017 Rosé ($19.95 - #275842) – British Columbia
Rustenberg 2016 RM Nicholson ($17.95 - #278390) – South Africa
Thorn-Clarke 2016 Terra Barossa Shiraz ($17.95 - #595306) – Australia
Happy Shopping
